Rodinal Special vs. Studional

modafoto · Oct 1, 2004

Hi

Maybe this has been asked before, but I need to get the final and definitive answer:

Is there any difference at all between Rodinal Special and Studional. As I can see it is the same stuff (same dev times etc.).
If it is, why are Agfa selling it under two names?

greetings Morten

john_s · Oct 1, 2004

It seems from the detailed data in the Agfa pdf files, everything about them to the last detail is the same. And being a phenidone-hydroquinone developer, there is no similarity to Rodinal. My guess (sorry to be not definitive) is that the marketing team wanted to use the famous word "Rodinal" but the more circumspect members of Agfa wanted a less ridiculous name. They couldn't agree, so they sold it under two names!

It does seem that in each market, only one is sold. Here (Australia) it's Rodinal Special. I've never tried it, but some people think it really is "Special."

modafoto · Oct 1, 2004

john_s said:
And being a phenidone-hydroquinone developer, there is no similarity to Rodinal.

I know that, and think the name is quite wrong for this developer. I bought RS yesterday, because it is superb with Ilford Delta 100 for portraits and kid's photography.

TPPhotog · Oct 1, 2004

Morten, Whats the difference in look between the Rodinal S and Rodinal? I've only ever used the latter.

modafoto · Oct 1, 2004

TPPhotog said:
Morten, Whats the difference in look between the Rodinal S and Rodinal? I've only ever used the latter.

Hmmm...the Special has slightly nicer skin tones. A bit more smooth than Hot Rod. The grain is also less evident. So it is a great companion in portraiture for me, although I have had a customer who asked for that distinct grain of Rodinal in the portraits.

Matter of taste and style. I love both!

TPPhotog · Oct 1, 2004

Interesting ... another to add to my must try list thank you

titrisol · Oct 4, 2004

AFAIK Studional is the name for the US, Rodinal Special for Europe

They are one and the same

modafoto · Oct 4, 2004

titrisol said:
AFAIK Studional is the name for the US, Rodinal Special for Europe

They are one and the same

Thanks. that cleared the view for me!
Another thing is that I only have seen Rodinal Special available in 125 ml. bottles and Studional only in 1 litre bottle...is that true?

Kevin Caulfield · Oct 4, 2004

I'm pretty sure that Rodinal Special is also available in 1 litre bottles.

john_s · Oct 10, 2004

From Agfa's current web site. They say rather different things about these "two" developers.

RODINAL SPECIAL is a liquid fine-grain developer for individual contrast compensation development. Dilution is 1 +15 and the solution can be used several times.

STUDIONAL LIQUID development concentrate ensures good sensitivity utilization and constant gradation over a long processing period.

modafoto · Oct 10, 2004

john_s said:
From Agfa's current web site. They say rather different things about these "two" developers.

RODINAL SPECIAL is a liquid fine-grain developer for individual contrast compensation development. Dilution is 1 +15 and the solution can be used several times.

STUDIONAL LIQUID development concentrate ensures good sensitivity utilization and constant gradation over a long processing period.

I saw that too. That is one of the reasons I posted this. Agfa describe them differently but anyone else says they are the same....but nevertheless I use Rodinal Special and it is GREAT for my use (portraiture and erotic).

Rodinal Special vs. Studional

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